Forest's Striker Scores a Brace as Nottingham Forest Conclude European Campaign with Win over Hungarian Opponents
At a Glance
- The home side were previously qualified to the play-offs.
- Bence Otvos deflection gives Nottingham Forest a first-half lead.
- The striker's fifth goal in Europe puts the team in control.
- Striker adds a third with a clinical effort in the latter period.
- James McAtee rounds off a excellent performance with a penalty.
The Brazilian attacker scored twice as Nottingham Forest rounded off the group stage of the Europa League with a comfortable triumph against Ferencvaros at the home stadium.
The hosts had previously guaranteed a berth in the next qualifying round and entered this fixture with a small chance of reaching the league's elite, even though they needed several results to go their way.
That did not happen but this assured performance will give Forest fans confidence that their side can come through the home-and-away tie to advance to the round of sixteen.
A Ferencvaros midfielder did hit the post with a header inside the first 10 minutes for the visitors – who are managed by ex-Premier League forward Robbie Keane – but it was all Forest from then on.
Forest opened the scoring in the 17th minute when Ryan Yates' cross was deflected in by Bence Otvos and added a second shortly after – Jesus squeezing a shot in at the back post for his tenth strike of the campaign.
The forward's eleventh goal came early in the second half when he timed a run perfectly to break clear of the defence and then place a shot beyond the goalkeeper.
The third strike killed off Ferencvaros' hopes of making a comeback and instead Forest added a fourth when the impressive James McAtee scored from a spot-kick after a foul by the hapless Bence Otvos inside the box on Dan Ndoye.
Europe's secondary club competition knockout phase play-off lottery is scheduled on the final Friday of January (12:00 GMT), where Forest might face either Fenerbahce or Panathinaikos.
"It's more than the scoreline, there was that atmosphere about it. I want these players to do collectively well, the entire team," said manager Sean Dyche.
"This is another stride forward, but it is a good one."
Forest Analysis: Striker Shines as Recent Arrival Observes from Stands
Igor Jesus has been a standout performer for Forest in European competition this season with six of his eleven strikes coming in the Europa League.
This double also means he has scored three goals in his previous two outings and the threat of a challenge for his position in attack could be providing motivation.
Napoli striker Lorenzo Lucca was recently brought in temporarily and he was watching this match from the stands.
This development may well have been on the striker's mind as he was outstanding against the opposition, delivering two excellent goals and generally being a constant threat to the opposition backline with his pace and runs.
The forward was not alone in impressing, with James McAtee producing his finest display in a Nottingham Forest shirt since joining from the champions in the previous transfer window, while Dan Ndoye also impressed.
Such positive showings will give Forest some fresh hope as they turn their attention to increasing the gap from the bottom three when they welcome Crystal Palace on the weekend.
"All you can ask for is a reaction," added Dyche.
"I have always trusted their work ethic or their loyalty or honesty. It is just about displaying your ability.
"James was very good and Dan Ndoye was incredibly lively. Jesus got another couple and these are good signs."
Player of the Match
#19 Igor Jesus
Average rating: 9.1
Forest Key Performers
- Igor Jesus: Average Rating 9.1
- #24: Rating 8.75
- #22: Rating 8.63
- I. Sangaré: Average Rating 8.01
- N. Milenković: Average Rating 7.9
Ferencváros Notable Players
- B. Yusuf: Average Rating 4.1
- Júlio Romão: Rating 4.1
- #16: Average Rating 4.1
Once the chance to submit ratings has ended, the score shown represents the average from all the submissions.
